MTQI 2011: Thailand wins its 3rd Grand Slam title in China

The kingdom of Thailand is known for the beauty of its women, but up to yesterday, it had conquered only the Miss Universe title among the six Grand Slam titles, first in 1965 with Apasra Hongsakula, and then in 1988, with Porntip Nakhirunkanok. 23 years later, Thailand celebrates its third Grand Slam victory, as Kantapat Peeradachainarin wins the coveted Miss Tourism Queen International 2011 title, in Xi’an, China.

Peeradachainarin, whose last name most non-Thai citizens could spend a lifetime trying to pronunciate properly, has some experience in beauty pageants. She won the Miss Friendship International title in 2009, and was a semi-finalist in Miss International earlier this year. She charmed the judges with her beauty and elegance, confirming her favoritism.

Jeanine Castro, the representative of the Brazilian paradise-island of Fernando de Noronha, was the 1st runner-up. Miss Belarus, Mariia Ovechkina, finished in 3rd place. Miss China (North), Wang Lu, was 4th, and Miss Tanzania, Nelly Almas, who had already competed in Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth 2011 with no success, this time did her country proud, conquering the 5th position.

China had two representatives in this year’s pageant because in 2010 Miss Tourism Queen International had to be cancelled due to the damages caused by a tropical storm which hit the region which was going to host it, so the country had two crowned candidates, 2010 and 2011.

The final event was very well-produced, pleasing a tv audience of over 400 million people. The winner takes home USD 20,000 in cash, a crown worth USD 20,000, plus several other prizes. She will spend her year traveling in China, Thailand, as well as other countries.

Global Beauties congratulates Miss Tourism Queen for a job well done and a near perfect event, which today could easily be ranked as the 3rd most important and well organized on the planet, right behind Miss World and Miss Universe.

Ah, another coincidence here, Kantapat’s victory also came 23 years after Porntip’s victory in 1988 (which came 23 years after Apasra’s). That means Thailand will not have another Grand Slam winner until 2034!

to think that China has 2 entries! Anyway… If they snob Ms Philippines, we have to accept it. But Please, don’t send 2 entries the next time! If that is possible, then next time Philippines will send Ms Boracay, Ms Palawan, Ms Bohol, etc….

“Global Beauties congratulates Miss Tourism Queen for a job well done and a near perfect event, which today could easily be ranked as the 3rd most important and well organized on the planet, right behind Miss World and Miss Universe”

Totally agree with this statement. Miss TQI saved the grace of Beauty Pagentry at the end of the year after the bloopers and goofups in Miss International and Miss Earth.

A very well deserved and beautiful Winner..Thailand deserved to win.

I am so happy and proud for Nelly, she has made Tanzania very proud, she will be an inspiration for future beauty queens to never give up

INDIA made it too, Good to see my country somewhere this year, Hey Even PARUL DUGGAL (I AM SHE 2011, 1st Runner Up)came in as 1st Runner Up in Miss Globe 2011 also winning the National Costume Round. Any ways gr8 going both the girls.